Certain orders for the increase of learning in the unlearned sort of ministers.-E Libro Instrum. Episc. Lincoln. fol. 50, 51. INPRIMIS, The order appointed in the preface of the common book, concerning the dayly readinge of publique prayer, shall be duly observed, to the end they may be the better acquainted with the phrase and histo5 ries of the scriptures. Certain orders] These were evidently adopted as a substitute for the exercises called prophecyings, which had been prohibited by the queen. But it does not appear, nor is it probable, that they were adopted generally. It is clear that in the next year (1586) a less laborious 10 kind of exercise was enjoined in the following order proposed by the archbishop and agreed upon in convocation; "Every minister having cure, and being under the degree of master of arts, and bachelor of civil law, and not licenced to be a public preacher, shall before the second day of February next provide a Bible and Bullinger's Decads in Item, The ordinary of the place shall assigne unto such as are not maisters of art, or preachers, one chapter, att the least, of the Old and New Testament, every week, to be diligently studied upon by them in such sort, as they be able to make accompte of the principall 5 contents thereof in Latten, and bring notes in Latten, collected out of the same. Item, The ordinary of the place shall likewise appoint unto them, every quarter of a yere, a common place of divinity, to be written upon in Latten by them, and to 10 be travelled in so, as they be able to answer to the principal points thereof in Latten. Item, Such as are not able to do these exercises in Latten, shall for the time performe them in Englishe, yet so as if in convenient time to be assigned unto them 15 by the discretion of the ordinarie (having regard to their age and capacities) they do not perform them in Latten, or at least have good testimonie of their diligence in studie, they shall be proceeded against by ecclesiastical censures for their notorious negligence. 20 The ordinary shall examine himself, or by some learned preacher call them to accompte for their exercises every quarter, and shall examine them also att their synods and visitations, how they have profited; and such as shall be notoriously negligent, or wilfullie disobedient, shall be 25 punished by the ordinary of the place, as the quality of his offence shall require. Latin or English, and a paper book, and shall every day read over one chapter of the holy scriptures, and note the principal contents thereof briefly in his paper booke, and shall every weeke read over one sermon 30 in the said Decads, and note likewise the chief matters therein contained in the said paper; and shall once in every quarter (viz. within a fortnight before or after the end of the quarter) shewe his said note to some preacher nere adjoining to be assigned for that purpose." Wilkins, Conc. vol. iv. p. 321. 35 Archiepisc. Cant. JOH. WHITGIFT 2. CII. Anno Christi Reg. Anglia Articles to be enquired upon in the visitation of the diocesse of Chichester, sede vacante, by the authority of the most reverend father in God John, archbishop of Cant. primate of all England, and metropolitan, as followeth.-Reg. I. Whitgift, fol. 116. b. I. WHETHER your minister have used any other form or manner of publick prayers, administra Articles to be enquired upon] These articles shew the decision of the archbishop in all the points resisted at this time by the puritans, viz. 5 the complete and unreserved use of the Book of Common Prayer, unconditional assent to all the 39 Articles, the having perfect orders, the abstaining from any religious exercises in private houses, or conventicles, and the use of the surplice and of clerical apparel. His general sentiments may be best expressed in his own words addressed 10 to lord Burghley on the 26th of December, 1584: He beseeched his lordship not to think that he stood so much in these matters for any other cause, than for conscience sake and duty to the church; knowing what was meant by these kind of dealings. That his lordship also knew, that her majesty loved not to hear of innovations; wherein she 15 did, in his opinion, both graciously and wisely; especially seeing the laws and orders already established were such as could not justly be impeached. And that for his part, being persuaded and resolved in all points, as he was, he could not but confirm her highness therein, so much as in him lay; notwithstanding the hard opinions of some men 20 concerning him." (Strype, Whitg. vol. i. p. 361.) The strict inquiries made at this time respecting Romanists were owing to the fears entertained of popish emissaries, and the designs that were believed to be formed against the life of the queen. Strype, Whitg. vol. i. p. 462. Ann. vol. iii. P. 1. pp. 446. 481. Collier, vol. ii. p. 593. Neal, 25 Purit. vol. i. p. 281. The see of Chichester became vacant by the death of bishop Curteis in Aug. 1582 (Strype says, in February 1584), and continued vacant till the end of the year 1585, when Dr. Bickley was elected. Le Neve, Fasti, p. 58. tion of sacramentes, or any other rites, ceremonies, or orders, than are prescribed by the book of common prayer; or hath he altered them, or any of them, how, and in what manner? II. Whether doth he, or any other, take upon them 5 to reade lectures, or preach, being mere lay persons, or not ordered according to the lawes of this realmea, or a not ordered according to the lawes of this realme] This is one of the earliest declarations from authority against orders conveyed by presbyters. Whittingham indeed, the dean of Durham, had as early as the 10 year 1578 been called into question for the invalidity of his orders, which he had received at Geneva; and it is clear that archbishop Sandys saw the great danger of allowing such a precedent (Strype, Ann. vol. ii. P. 2. pp. 168. 622): but the matter was not at that time brought to a final issue. The question was revived in the year 1584 15 in the case of Travers; and he alleged in his favour not only the theological elements of the question (which seem to have been the only grounds taken in the case of Whittingham), but also the protection he had under the statute 13 Eliz. c. 12, which admitted other forms of ordination as well as the established form, on condition that 20 the articles should be duly subscribed. His pleas and the archbishop's answers may be seen in Strype's Life of Whitgift (vol. iii. p. 182); and though when silenced by the archbishop he appealed to the privy council, and great endeavours were made in his behalf, the queen would not suffer the decision to be disturbed, and the archbishop's 25 views respecting ordination from the hands of presbyters prevailed. It is evident however that these views were not uniformly acted upon : for archbishop Grindal in 1582 gave his license to John Morrison, who had been ordained by the hands of presbyters in Scotland, to preach and administer holy things throughout the province of Canterbury 30 (Strype, Grind. p. 596); and lord Bacon in his Advertisement respecting the Controversies of the Church of England, (written probably about 1590,) says, "Yea and some indiscreet persons have been bold in open preaching to use dishonourable and derogatory speech and censure of the churches abroad; and that so far, as some of our men, 35 as I have heard, ordained in foreign parts have been pronounced to be no lawful ministers." (Works, vol. ii. p. 514.) It is certain also that instances may be given down to the time of the civil wars of foreigners holding preferment without episcopal ordination; but the act of uni |